Dielectric properties of poly(phenylene-vinylene) thin films

In the search for the characterization of new potential polymers for future applications in electronic devices, the dielectric properties of polyparaphenylene-vinylene (PPV) thin films were studied. The frequency responses of metal-PPV-metal structures were investigated as a function of temperature. The nature of the dielectric relaxation, the conductivity and the influence of interfacial polarization are discussed and correlated with previous studies of d.c. conductivity and thermally stimulated currents. We show that, in addition to the bulk relaxation observed in the high frequency range, a second relaxation mechanism occurs at low frequencies and is related to the interfacial contact between the metal and PPV.